Total Turnaround

Flanagan learned from 1-15-1 season. This year, they're unbeaten.

Things were so bad for the Flanagan High boys' soccer team last year that the goalkeeper and a top forward both thought of quitting, while two other top players opted to join club teams instead.

What a difference a year makes. The team is off to a 10-0-1 start. The Falcons ended the 2006-07 season 1-15-1.

Coach Jeff Uchin, who last guided the Falcons to the state playoffs in 2004 and lost in the first round, returned after a two-year absence.

The first thing he did was welcome back Michael Kreimer, a senior forward, and Kyle Sealy, a senior defender.

"I had to get the guys that quit playing soccer to come back," said Uchin, who coached Hallandale for a decade before moving to Flanagan in 2000. He coached for two seasons, then quit to spend more time with his family.

Kreimer is the team's second-leading goal scorer with 13 goals and nine assists, while Sealy is one of the team's leading defenders.

lanagan has also been buoyed by the addition of Luis Ledezma from South America. He is the team's third-leading scorer with eight goals and 11 assists.

"Those guys have meant everything to us," Uchin said. "Those are the core guys and they are both capable at playing at the next level. They are just quality kids inside and outside the classroom."

Goalkeeper Ron Miniverni has 6.5 shutouts this season, while Reginald Faucher is the team's leading scorer with 14 goals and 10 assists.

"I am having more fun this year even though I am not getting 10 to 15 shots or more a game like last year," Miniverni said. "This year there is more ball work and we are getting more touches. Last year was really tough. It was hard to walk the halls last year. Now people come up and congratulate us."

District 12-6A is competitive with Cooper City, Cypress Bay, Everglades, McArthur, Miramar, South Broward, South Plantation and Western.

Uchin said he knew the team would be good after it tied Cypress Bay in a preseason game, although the perfect start is a surprise.

"We actually scored first in that game and I think at that moment when we didn't get blown out by them that we had something," Uchin said. "We haven't played the top-ranked teams yet. We play South Broward this week and Cypress Bay next week, and then we'll know."

Uchin said the players have learned from last season.

"They are extremely humble because it is demoralizing when you are [1-15-1]," Uchin said. "I tell the kids they can't appreciate the view from the top of the mountain until you have been at the bottom of the valley looking up."

Q&A: WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE PLAYER TO WATCH AND WHY?

Shawn Berry American Heritage, senior

"Thierry Henry. I like his technical ability and the speed that he runs at and beats defenders with. I have liked him every since I first saw him play with his club [FC Barcelona] and [the French] national team."

Diego Aching Plantation, senior

"Lionel Messi. He has fun and leaves everything on the field. People tell me I am a lot like him because I am fast. He has a lot of skill and I wish I could be like him."

David Amrani Hollywood Hills, senior

"Robson De Souza - Robinho. I like him because of the way he plays the game. He is very fluid and is my biggest influence in the game. He has a quick first touch and the second he touches the ball he is very dangerous. Because he is so young [23], it makes me more motivated to make it as a professional one day."

Derek Aguilar Western, senior

"Francesc "Cesc" FM-`bregas from Arsenal. He is a very [basics-oriented] player and that is what soccer is, to play simple. He is a very accurate passer, very unselfish and very highly skilled, and is a leader on the field. Ever since I saw him play, I have tried to play like him."

Nicolas Albojer Cypress Bay, senior

"Lionel Messi. He can't be stopped. He is young and is the fastest player in the world. He is 100 percent guaranteed a goal or 100 percent an assist every game he plays. He is the most efficient player in the world."